QSR1870/4/5/14

Depositions and examination - Thomas Saunders of Toddington, laboutrer, charged with obtaining 1 shilling from William Spittel by false pretences

15 October 1870

From: 1870 To: 1870

John Cook of Dunstable, plumber and glazier – he knows Thomas Saunders who is a labourer at Dunstable. Saunders mowed some grass for him 12 months ago last hay time. He has not seen Saunders lately. He did not see him on 23 June. He never authorised Saunders to go to William Spittel for 1s or any thing else. Mr Spittel is a friend of his and a shoemaker at Toddington. He fitted up a gas chandelier for Mr Spittel nearly 12 months ago which was settled for at the time. William Spittel of Toddington, shoemaker – on Thursday 23 June Saunders came to his house. He knew him by sight but nothing more. Saunders asked if John Cook had been to his house. He said not. Saunders said Cook would be there that night or early tomorrow morning, and that he was to have a shilling and Cook would make it all right when he came. Saunders said the shilling was to pay for something to eat and his night’s lodging and if Mr Cook did not come that day he would be sure to do so the next morning. He asked Saunders if he was working for Cook and Saunders said he was. Saunders never said anything about borrowing the shilling. Supposing he was sent by Mr Cook who is an intimate friend of his he let Saunders have the shilling. On Sunday 28 June he saw Saunders in Dunstable. Saunders said it was Mr Cook of Houghton who sent him not John Cook, but he did not know his Christian name – it was either Eli or Levi. He said he would get the police if Mr Cook had not sent Saunders to him. Saunders begged him not to do so and said he would pay him in a couple of days. He saw Saunders again in August. Saunders asked him to stop until after harvest. He said he would do nothing of the sort. Charles Sturgess, a police constable stationed at Toddington – he apprehended Saunders on 13 October on a warrant. Saunders said he had the shilling but not under false pretences, and that he borrowed it stating he was going to do some work for Mr Cook. Saunders said he did not know what to do as he was hard up, with nothing to eat or drink and no money. Saunders said he was going to go and pay the money back that very morning. Thomas Saunders – “I hope you will look over it this time”.

item

Saunders, Thomas,
Spittal, William,
Cook, John,
Sturgess, Charles

TODDINGTON, DUNSTABLE, false pretences, shoemaker, plumber, glazier, police constable